Retiring city manager Rick Dudley is presented a "Dudley Way" street sign during the Murrieta City Council meeting last week.
Murrieta 24/7 photo: Doug Spoon

Members of the Murrieta City Council and city staff members presented Rick Dudley a proclamation, gifts and words of praise last week as Dudley headed into his last week as city manager.

Dudley recently announced his retirement and will officially be replaced Saturday 1 by Kim Summers, currently assistant city manager. Dudley has served 10 years as city manager, leading Murrieta in a period of growth, even during the recession of 2007-08.

"The thing that strikes me most is your integrity and long-term strategic thinking," Mayor Rick Gibbs told Dudley during the city council meeting last Wednesday. "You're a master of thinking things through. Folks, Rick Dudley has devoted his life and love to Murrieta, and we all are better for it."

Dudley received proclamations from representatives of Assemblywoman Melissa Meldendez and state Senator Jeff Stone; the local water board; and the Chamber of Commerce.

"This has been a very humbling experience," Dudley said. "You get judged on what everybody else does. It's so important to have a strong team to work with."

Dudley has worked 35 years for public agencies. He spent 23 years with the City of Vista before joining the staff in Murrieta.